by Randi Darren
Her clothes were wrinkled, and she looked as if she’d slept rough.
Keeping her in this cell is doing wonders for her psyche, I bet. Let’s avoid moving her as long as we can.
Douglas and his people filed out quickly, the door shutting behind them.
“And what are we having for breakfast?” Sylvia asked, tapping a nail against the silvered dome over her plate.
“Sausage, eggs, bacon, more than likely an apple, and a hash,” Alex said, pulling the dome off his plate and then doing the same for her. “Or so my chef told me. Seems he was right.
“You tuck in; I’d like to propose my deal for the day.”
Sylvia frowned at that, her lip on the verge of a pout.
She wanted to dictate what the deal would be? Hah.
“I’d like to offer you the ability to take a bath every day. Maybe even use the tub to wash your clothes, if you see fit.
“To clarify a few details before you ask—a hot bath, privately, right here in the cell. The water would be given each time for nothing, at the same time each day. The tub would be put behind yon privacy screen and remain here,” Alex said.
“That’s… generous of you. And what would your price be for such benevolence?” Sylvia asked, eating her meal as quickly as she could while preserving her image as best as she was able.
“It’s certainly significant. I’m afraid I’ve fallen prey to my baser instincts this time around.
“For this to be a worthwhile deal to me, I’d like to be able to see you after every bath, if I so choose. The beautiful Sylvia, fresh and clean, hair wet, in nothing but her underwear, for at least twenty minutes each time. The time would not accrue if I don't use it,” Alex said, meeting her eyes directly.
He didn’t for one second believe she’d agree, but it would help set the stage for future deals. He also didn’t have the same type of leverage over her that he did with Riley.
Sylvia could technically end up paying massive fines and escape all prison time for her charges, once all was tabulated.
For her part, Sylvia managed to somehow keep eating, despite her eyes widening like a deer that wanted to bolt.
“As a reminder, you can always decline. Nothing would change, go wrong for you, or be altered in any way for doing so. I’d simply rescind the offer.”
“Nothing but my underwear? For twenty minutes? Just you?” Sylvia asked.
“That’d be the arrangement. I’m a terrible man, and would love to see more of your skin. I do hope you forgive me, but how often will I have the opportunity to wrangle something like this?” Alex said, smiling at her.
“The water would be hot? Very hot?”
“Hot enough to boil a lobster, if that’s what you prefer.”
“Then I agree to the deal,” Sylvia said.
It was surprising. He hadn’t expected that.
“You thought I’d say no,” she said, catching his reaction.
“I did.”
“Maybe I want to be seen? How often do I get the opportunity to explore… strange things… in a safe environment, where you yourself are as sworn to secrecy as I am?” Sylvia said, finishing her food off and setting the dome back down on the plate.
The apple remained in her hand, seeming to be saved for later.
Pity for you, my soul is already lost. I can break any agreement so long as I don’t swear my life.
“Done then. I look forward to seeing you this evening. Would you like to bathe before or after your hearing?”
“After.”
Nodding his head once, Alex picked up his apple and stood up.
“Feel free to finish my plate off, if you like. I’ll have a guard come clean this all up in a second.”
“Going to go check on the other guest?” she asked, her nails scraping along the skin of her apple.
Alex only smiled at her and didn’t respond.
Instead, he exited her cell and shut the barred door. The lock clicked into place, imprisoning Sylvia once again.
Picking up the large box that’d been set next to the door, he left Sylvia’s cell and entered Riley’s.
She was sprawled out nude in her bed, the sheets tangled around her legs.
Glancing into the hearth, he found the coals were cool to the touch. It’d have to be restarted by whoever brought her breakfast.
Still, the cell was comfortably warm from the fire the previous night.
Definitely keeps the heat in.
Walking quietly up to the bars, Alex viewed Riley in her full glory.
She really was put together in a fantastic way. He imagined she probably had a number of men at her disposal back in the city.
It definitely lends credence to all the charges upon her. Power is power in many forms.
Clean and scrubbed, her skin was clear and without blemishes. Her hair still looked rather dull and lifeless, but one could only do so much with a pitcher of water.
The bruising and swelling on her face was going away, and he realized she was prettier than he'd first thought.
Staring at her like this did nothing for his building desires.
Really need to get laid soon. Especially if I end up getting some time to watch Sylvia.
Maybe Marta the whore…? No, she was filthy. We can do better.
Breaking his thoughts free, he turned with his back to Riley and noisily began opening the box he’d brought with him.
“Unnnn? Wha…? My lor-Master?” Riley asked, her voice going from sleepy to frantic in seconds.
“Brought your new clothes. I appreciate you sleeping nude to conform to our deal.”
“I… ah… yes, Master.”
Pulling out the outfit, Alex felt pleased with himself. He walked to the bars and held it out to her.
She was sitting on the edge of her bed, naked and looking a bit angry.
“Come on, One. Put this on. Your breakfast won’t come in until I leave anyways, so delaying only delays your meal.”
Riley got up and came over to him.
Making sure to wait for her eyes to meet his, he immediately gave her a head-to-toe inspection.
“You clean up very well, One.”
She grunted, taking the clothes from his arms.
Gotta keep pushing her.
“I didn’t hear your response.”
“I said… thank you.”
“Thank you what?”
“Thank you, Master.”
“You’re welcome, One.”
Moving to the bed, she started to lay out the clothes.
Alex already knew what they were.
He’d picked them out specifically for his own tastes. With her body shape in mind, no less.
A white blouse that would be tight around her midsection and chest, but loose at the top. It deliberately exposed her neck, shoulders, cleavage, and a generous portion of her chest.
A black silk choker with a silver name tag dangling from it, with One engraved on it.
And a short black dress that barely reached her knees but hugged her hips and rear end.
There was no underwear for any of it.
The other item in the box was a simple peasant's tunic that would come down to her shins.
“What…?” Riley asked, picking through the box.
“You’ll wear the choker at all times. The top and bottoms you’ll wear if I’ve already visited you twice that day. The peasant's tunic is for until I’ve made my two visits,” Alex explained.
“This isn’t… these aren’t clothes…”
“They most certainly are, One. And they’re what you’ll be wearing by your own agreement.
“Now, what do you say?”
Riley’s shoulders fell, her posture looking rather defeated.
“Thank you, Master,” she said, turning her face away from him.
“You’re very welcome, One. I also already have a new deal for you while you get dressed.”
“I think I’ve had enough deals, Master.”
“Hush, hush. This really i
sn’t much of a change. The only difference is now you have to wear something fun if I visit you more than twice.
“Now, do you want to hear the new deal, or not?”
“Fine. Tell me.”
“I’ll provide you with the means to wash and care for your hair. Soaps, scissors, even some brushes,” Alex said. “Providing you also swear to never harm or attempt to harm myself, yourself, or any of my people.”
Riley frowned and touched her wild, knotted, and dirty red hair.
“And your price?”
“I get to dictate how you wear your hair, and will have a professional cut it for you as well. I promise it won’t go any shorter than a pixie cut if I actually decide to have it cut,” Alex said.
For a moment before he said it, he wondered how “pixie cut” would translate. But since she didn’t seem confused, he imagined it translated just fine.
“And I can wash my hair every day?”
“Indeed. You can even use the hot water to sponge bathe yourself if you like, instead of that cold pitcher of water,” Alex said, offering a bit more to the deal.
Riley picked up the black choker with her name tag on it and belted it around her throat.
Then she let her head hang down.
“I agree to the deal on our ongoing oath,” Riley murmured, “Master.”
That takes care of her name, her clothes, and her hair. Next will be her food and beliefs. We’ll need to give her some easier deals for a time. Build some trust back up.
“Great. The deal is struck then.
“Now, let me see you with your collar on, One.”
Riley turned to face him and lifted her chin up. Her eyes were calm, but they also conveyed a sense of defeat.
The choker looked great on her, the silver tag resting on her collar bone.
“Very good, One. Very lovely,” Alex said appreciatively, making sure she knew he enjoyed the view.
Chapter 5
“Now, I wanted to make you yet another deal,” Alex said.
Riley shook her head while looking down and to the side, but didn’t dismiss him.
“I’d like to offer you better food,” Alex said, pulling out the apple from the box. He’d tucked it away when handing over the clothes. “I’ll feed you what the guards eat, and the price is to let me eat lunch with you if I so choose. I’ll bring my own lunch, of course, and I’ll probably even share part of it with you.”
Riley’s head came back up, her brows pressing together.
“That's all?”
“That's all. I’d like to eat with you. Learn more about you. Know you.”
“I agree, then… will that start with breakfast?” she asked, hope evident in her voice.
Alex felt the deal slide in place, as if it had always been there. He was getting used to the feeling, and wondered if he’d simply tune it out soon.
“I’m afraid they—” Alex paused, thinking. It wouldn’t cost him anything to toss out her old breakfast. It might even earn him some appreciation from her. “Actually, sure. Why not. I’ll speak to Douglas on my way out and take care of it for you personally. They’ll be relighting your hearth as well,” Alex said.
He reached through the bars and held out the apple to her.
“Forgive me, I do not believe I’ll be able to join you for lunch today. I’ll be working with my other guest around that time, I imagine.
“That said, I’m afraid I must leave you alone until later. Oh, and One?”
“Yes, Master?” Riley sounded extremely cautious. She took the apple from his hand and immediately bit into it without a concern.
“You really are quite beautiful. Gorgeous, even.”
Riley flushed a deep scarlet, her gaze locked to his as she chewed at her apple. He kept his eyes on her face and gave her a smile.
Saying nothing more, Alex left, taking the now empty box with him.
He hadn’t gotten halfway across Sylvia’s cell before there was a brief knock on the door, and then it opened.
Douglas stepped inside with an envelope clutched in his hand.
“Douglas?” Alex asked, mildly annoyed that the man was breaking the rules already.
“I’m sorry, my lord. I have a letter from the king. It has his seal and it appears authentic.”
Alex immediately dropped any annoyance he had and held his hand out for the envelope.
Taking it from Douglas, he flipped it over and inspected the seal.
It really did look like the king’s.
Cracking the seal with his thumb, he slipped his fingers into the envelope and pulled out a folded letter.
Opening it, he began to read:
My loyal Count Alex,
Please come see me immediately with utmost haste. I have a matter most urgent to your station to discuss.
King Harold III
Alex snorted and flipped the letter over to check the back of it.
Blank.
“It would seem our dear king wishes to see me, and has specified little to no reason,” Alex said, shaking his head. “I imagine this would be our dear envoy I chased out.”
“Ah, that’d be a good guess, my lord. And because of that, you need to go see the king?”
“Indeed. For what, I don’t know. A shame though. Go alert Walter and Max about all of this. I’m sure one or both will have a fit about it,” Alex said.
When the cell door shut behind Douglas, Alex turned to look at Sylvia. She’d been listening intently and seemed unsure of herself at the moment.
“I imagine you’re wondering what I’m going to do with you while I’m away,” Alex said. Walking up to the bars, he leaned up against them. “I was thinking I’d just have you relax and take it easy in your cell. No harm can befall you here, and the worst thing that’ll happen is your clothes will probably start showing some wear.”
Sylvia opened her mouth once, then closed it.
She doesn’t want to stay here while I’m away, but there’s no way for her to suggest it without putting herself in an unfavorable position.
Another lovely opportunity to earn some trust.
She nodded her head sedately, sitting at her table as if nothing were the matter.
“Say… Sylvia. How would you like to go home while I’m traveling?”
“That would be… most agreeable,” she said, a smirk on her face.
Can’t fool her. She knows I know, hah.
“Let’s skip to the end. What do you want?” she asked.
“No fun at all, Sylvia. No fun at all. The price… well, let’s clarify this,” Alex said, tapping a bar with a knuckle. “To start with… you go home while I’m away, and must return within one day of my return. I’ll send a messenger to you personally the day I arrive, of course. That way there isn’t any funny business.
“You swear an oath on your life and soul that you’ll return, and we return to your charges.”
“That… would actually be agreeable so far,” Sylvia said.
“Next, you are forbidden to destroy any evidence of your guilt, or have anyone do so on your behalf. If you do come across any evidence of your guilt, you’ll bring it back with you for me,” Alex said.
“That’s… a bit of a stretch, isn’t it?”
“Not really. It just means you have to stay away from everything that landed you in this cell. Effectively making it so you can enjoy your freedom, but not deter justice.”
Sighing, Sylvia leaned back in her chair, smiling at him. “Fine. I agree and do so swear.
“It’s not very fair when you have me at your mercy like that. At least play a little with me.”
“Oh? I think you’ll come to enjoy being at my mercy. I’m sure we can make it fun and pleasurable for each other.
“Let me go check on my other guest, and then I’ll arrange for your departure.”
Moving back to Riley’s cell, he opened the door and stepped in.
Before he could even address her, she had already pulled her tunic back over her head. The black choker was
all she was wearing.
“Master?” she asked. Her voice was curious, with maybe just a hint of annoyance.
“Ah, forgive me, One. I’m afraid I’ve been summoned by the king. I’ll be gone for a week or two. I’m going to ask the guard to add extra fruit to your meals while I’m gone, and to provide you with a daily bath, too.
“A hairstylist will come in to start working with your hair, as well as a second set of clothes to match the first. Just in case they get dirty and you need to wash them.”
“I… ah… alright. Thank you, Master. Are… are you ok? Is the king mad at you? Because of me? That you didn’t hang someone who was accused of treason?” asked Riley.
“On the contrary. Nothing is the matter, and I’ll be back before you know it. We’ll catch up then, ok One?”
“Yes, Master. Thank you.”
That solved, Alex needed to go put all this into action and get on the road.
I wonder what the king wants.
***
“This is certainly too fast. Most certainly too fast,” Walter complained as the coach bumped along the king’s road.
Each and every crack, pothole, and uneven paving stone practically rattled the teeth out of their heads.
But they were making amazing time.
Alex didn’t want to spend a minute on the road he didn’t have to.
They’d already been on the move for one day. One day of traveling, sleeping some distance from the road, and having none of the comforts of home was enough for him.
If he had his way, they’d be arriving the day after tomorrow and ensconced in the family manse in the capital.
“Oh, let it be, Walter,” Alex said. “The sooner we get there, the better. You did send a fast courier to have the house prepared, yes?”
“Yes, my lord. I did. All will be ready for our arrival. Though I pity the horses.”
“Hmph. A small price to pay. They’ll recover. No permanent harm. Just giving them a shakedown run.”
“And the men, my lord?”
Alex glanced out the window to see one of the elite guards Walter had brought along. He was wearing chain mail and what looked like thick leather armor underneath that.
They were his personal house guard. Trained hard and given priority when it came to equipment and gear.
